Biography of Alden Chester

ALDEN CHESTER A WELL-KNOWN, industrious, painstaking lawyer of this city, whose early struggles in life and well-directed efforts to secure an education have been crowned with success in his chosen profession, is Alden Chester. Born at Westford, a small village in Otsego County, N. Y., September 4, 1848, he is the youngest of four sons of Alden Chester. His father was born at New London, Conn., in 1803, and died at Westford on the 4th of March, 1857. He was a public-spirited man, of a noble nature, and a true friend of education. At first a cabinet-maker, he afterward carried … Read more

Biography of George S. Wickham, M.D.

GEORGE S. WICKHAM, M. D. – Bringing to his profession a large ability, supplemented by a tireless energy and directed by his splendid preparation, Dr. George S. Wickham, of Lee, stands among the noteworthy physicians of Berkshire County. Active in practice only since the recent war, Dr. Wickham has established his name in this section as that of a thoroughly able and forward looking professional man, and in his future his friends are confident that the community will be greatly benefited. Dr. Wickham is a son of Nicholas and Ellen (Smallwood) Wickham, his father died in February, 1g09, but his … Read more

The Hazard family of Rhode Island 1635-1894

The Hazard family of Rhode Island 1635-1894

The Hazard family of Rhode Island 1635-1894 – Being a genealogy and history of the descendants of Thomas Hazard, with sketches of the worthies of this family, and anecdotes illustrative of their traits and also of the times in which they lived.

Narrative of Robert Eastburn – Indian Captivities

A Faithful Narrative of the Many Dangers and Sufferings, as well as wonderful and surprising deliverances, of Robert Eastburn, during his late captivity among the Indians. Written by Himself. Published at the earnest request of many persons, for the benefit of the Public. With a recommendatory Preface by the Rev. Gilbert Tennent. Psalms 24, 6, 7, and 193, 2, 4. Philadelphia: Printed. Boston: Reprinted and sold by Green & Russell, opposite the Probate Office in Queen street, 1753. Preface Candid Reader: The author (and subject) of the ensuing narrative (who is a deacon of our church, and has been so … Read more

Ancestors of Mereitt G. Perkins of Bridgewater, MA

perkins

The Perkins family is one of long and honorable standing in America, being one of the oldest in New England, where it is first found of record in Hampton – then in Massachusetts, now in New Hampshire. This family has numbered among its members men who have been prominent in the learned professions as well as in the business and financial circles of this country. This article is to particularly treat of that branch of the family through which descended the late John Perkins, of Bridgewater, of which town his ancestors were early settlers, and where he was actively identified with the iron manufacturing industry for a number of years. The ancestral line of this branch of the family is here given in chronological order from the first American settler, Abraham Perkins. Through his grandmother, Huldah Ames Hayward, who became the wife of Asa Perkins, Mr. Perkins is also descended from another of the oldest and best known families of Massachusetts. The progenitor of this family, Thomas Hayward, came from England to New England, becoming one of the early settlers of Duxbury before 1638. In the early part of the eighteenth century many of the Haywards changed their name to Howard, the two names in all probability having been the same originally, as both have the same Norse origin. Among the distinguished descendants of this Hayward or Howard family may be mentioned William Howard Taft, president of the United States. The branch of the family through which Mr. Perkins descends is herewith given, in chronological order.

John Gyles Captivity Narrative – Indian Captivities

St John River Map

John Gyles captivity narrative provides a stunning display of Abenaki culture and lifestyle, as it was in the 1690’s. John was 10 years old when he was taken captive in the attack on Pemaquid (Bristol Maine) and his narrative provides an accounting of his harrowing treatment by his Indian captors, as well as the three years exile with his French owners at Jemseg New Bruswick. His faith in Christ remains central in the well-being of his mind throughout his ordeal.

Biography of Mrs. Leda C. Steele

Mrs. Leda C. Steele, one of the most notable figures in the musical circles of Oklahoma and the southwest and enjoying as well an international reputation in connection with her art, makes her home in Muskogee, where she has resided since 1900. She was born in St. Paul, Kansas, a daughter of Edson H. and Artimissia (Sutherland) Crawford, the former a native of Elgin, Illinois, while the latter was born in the vicinity of Elgin. The father was a veteran of the Civil war. Having pursued her education in the public schools of St. Paul, Kansas, and in the high … Read more

Descendants of William Brett of Bridgewater, MA

Ellis Brett

Ellis Brett, president of the Plymouth County Trust Company, of Brockton, and one of that city’s honored and respected citizens, is a worthy representative of historic New England ancestry, the Brett family having resided in this community since the first settlement of the mother town of Bridgewater, from which the town of North Bridgewater (now Brockton) was set off. Mr. Brett was born in the latter town Oct. 23, 1840, only son of Ephraim and Ruth (Copeland) Brett. The early history of the Brett family in America begins with William Brett, who came to Duxbury, Mass., in 1645, from Kent, England, and later became one of the fifty-four original proprietors and first settlers of the town of ancient Bridgewater, settling in the West parish of the town. He was an elder in the church, and often when the Rev. James Keith, the first ordained pastor of the church there, was ill, Mr. Brett preached to the people. He was a leading man in both church and town affairs, and was deputy to the General Court from the date of the in-corporation of ancient Bridgewater in 1656 to 1661. That he was well educated and intelligent is manifest from a letter to Governor Winslow, still extant, and he was much esteemed by his brethren and often employed in their secular affairs. He died Dec. 17, 1681, aged sixty-three years

Boston MA Intentions of Marriage 1757

Marriage Intention

David Ochterlony & Catha. Tyler Jan. 4, 1757 Richard Anderson & Ann Green Jan. 5, 1757 Stephen Wales & Abigail Peat Jan. 6, 1757 John Brooks & Eliza. Wadland Jan. 7, 1757 Robert Cook & Ann Carlisle Jan. 8, 1757 John Barry & Mary Blake Jan. 11, 1757 William Parkman & Mary Hawkins Jan. 13, 1757 Joseph Prince & Mary Greenwood Jan. 13, 1757 Mathew White & Eliza. Ormond Jan. 15, 1757 Michael Whallen & Isabella Watten Jan. 15, 1757 Roger Coneril & Eliza. Netions Jan. 17, 1757 John Hefener & Eliza. Frizwell Jan. 19, 1757 Isaac Greenwood & Mary … Read more

Biography of Simeon Cook

Simeon Cook, of Redlands, is a native of Richmond, Cheshire County, New Hampshire, born April 14, 1821; his parents being Simeon, Sr., and Rachel (Holman) Cook. Both parents came of old New England families, and the father of our subject went with his parents from Billingham, Massachusetts, to New Hampshire, when he was but three years of age. He was born December 8, 1770, and died March 18, 1859. Our subject’s mother was the daughter of Elijah Holman, who lived on the line between Winchester and Richmond, New Hampshire, and before her marriage to Simeon Cook, Sr., was the widow … Read more

Descendants of Jonathan White, Brockton, MA

HON. JONATHAN WHITE, for sixty years a member of the Plymouth county bar and a citizen of note in what is now Brockton, Plymouth Co., Mass., was born Aug. 22, 1819, in that part of Randolph called East Randolph (now Holbrook), Norfolk Co., Mass., son of Jonathan and Abigail (Holbrook) White. The Whites have lived in this section of Massachusetts from the time of the earliest settlements, and the members of the family in every generation have upheld the honorable name. Mr. White’s lineage from the immigrant ancestor follows: Thomas White, probably from England, was in Weymouth as early as … Read more

Barker Genealogy of Tiverton, RI

The Barker family of Tiverton, R. I., and vicinity, represented in that section by many prominent citizens, is one of the earliest settled families of New England. The first of the name of whom there is authentic record was Robert Barker, born in 1616, who came to New England at a very early day with John Thorp. In 1641, with others, he bought from Jonathan Brewster, son of Elder Brewster, a ferry and 100 acres of land at Marshfield. Later he located at Duxbury, where for several years he was a surveyor. His death occurred about 1691. He married Lucy Williams, who died March 7, 1681 or 1682.

Biography of David E. Ballard

David E. Ballard is living retired at Washington, Kansas, at the age of eighty-one. Most of his active contemporaries in the strenuous achievements of his earlier years have long since passed away. Mr. Ballard is one of the few survivors of the prominent Kansans who actually laid the foundation of the state. His name is especially associated with the organization of Washington County and the establishment of Washington as its county seat. It was only a few years ago that he disposed of many of his extensive interests, and is now devoting his life to rest and travel. He had … Read more

Olcott Family of Norwich Vermont

Hon. Peter Olcott was born at Bolton, Connecticut, April 25, 1733; married Sarah, daughter of Peletiah Mills, Esq., of Windsor, Conn., October 11, 1759, and removed to that place in 1772. That year or the following one he came to Norwich, Vermont. He was the oldest of his parents’ four children (two sons and two daughters), and the only one of them to come to Norwich to reside. Mr. Olcott‘s name first appears in the town records of Norwich in 1773, when he was chosen one of the overseers of the poor, at the annual March meeting. He early took … Read more

Biography of Hon. Isaac Darwin Merrill

Hon. Isaac Darwin Merrill, a well-known public man of Contoocook, is a son of Isaac and Mary (Wyman) Merrill, born October 1, 1814, in Hopkinton village, N.H. The father, a native of Hollis, Hillsborough County, born June 15, 1784, was a cooper by trade, and worked in Boston, Portland, and Troy, N.Y. When Isaac D. was about a year old, the family moved from Hopkinton to Hillsborough Bridge, where his father was employed at his trade. Later, more than sixty years ago, he settled in Contoocook, built the house where the subject of this sketch now resides, worked at his … Read more

Ella Neat Todd Foss of Springfield MA

FOSS, Ella Neat Todd9, (Charles S.8, Eliel S.7, Samuel6, Eliel5, Samuel4, Samuel3, Samuel2, Christopher1) born May 1, 1884, in Boston, Mass., married June 12, 1907, George Herbert, son of George Washington and Nellie S. Foss. He is a physician in Springfield, Mass. Children: I. George Herbert, b. Sept. 30, 1908, in Hinsdale, N. H. II. Robert, b. April 21, 1918, in Springfield, Mass.

Biographical Sketch of Albert William Johnston

Johnston, Albert William; railroad office; born, Boston, Mass., March 4, 1853; son of Thomas Hunter and Anne Metcalf Johnston; educated, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; married, Steubenville, O., Sept. 17, 1880, Flora P. Kimball; one daughter, Pauline Kimball Johnston; entered the railroad business in 1875; has resided in Cleveland since 1884, as Division Engineer, N. Y. C. & St. L. R. R. Co., and has successfully held positions of division supt. Eastern Division, general supt. and gen. mgr. entire line; member American Society of Civil Engineers, American Rotary Association and American Rotary Guild; member College Fraternity, Chi Phi Tau, Boston, 1873; … Read more

Boston MA Intentions of Marriage 1762

Marriage Intention

Francis Costar & Margaret Hubbard Jan. 2,1762 Joseph Selva & Jane Chamberlain Jan. 4, 1762 Joshua Thornton & Lucretia Lehay Jan. 7, 1762 Nicholas Fitzgerald & Katharine Gough Jan. 14, 1762 Robert Gadd & Hannah Tuffs Jan. 18, 1762 Paul Burbeen & Elizabeth Granger Jan. 22, 1762 Luke Hall & Sarah Barnard Jan. 27, 1762 Andras Rundle & Susannah Hayden Feb. 4, 1762 Edward Brinley & Sarah Tyler Feb. 11, 1762 Joseph Sergeant & Hannah Spur Feb. 11, 1762 Timothy Kneeland & Ann Halsey Feb. 13, 1762 Richard Morgan & Mary Fosdick Mar. 11, 1762 Nicholas Lash & Ruth Read … Read more

Boston MA Intentions of Marriage 1800

Marriage Intention

Giles Lodge & Abigail H. Langdon Jan. 3, 1800 John Austin & Susanna Douglass Jan. 6, 1800 Seth Taylor & Neomy Robins Jan. 7, 1800 Joseph Willington Page & Polly Bixby of Framingham Jan. 14, 1800 James Rolly & Hannah Wright Jan. 24, 1800 John Palmer & Polly Martin Jan. 25, 1800 David Pratt & Lucy White Jan. 25, 1800 John Odiorne & Mary Thayer of Randolph Jan. 30, 1800 James Otis & Joa. Gardner Jan. 30, 1800 Samuel Stone & Grace Stodder of Westford Feb. 5, 1800 John Mooney & Elizabeth Layrey Feb. 15, 1800 John Ongo & Mary … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John Wilson Hollyday

Hollyday, John Wilson; supt. Railway Mail Service; born, Findlay, O.; son of Robert H. Hollyday, D. D.; his mother’s name was Lydia A. Patterson; educated, High School, Findlay, O., and Business College, Cleveland; married, Washington, D. C., Sept. 29, 1886, Mary Elizabeth Larner; issue, one daughter, Eleanor; early life spent in mercantile pursuits; appointed to railway mail service, March 4, 1878; transferred to office Gen. Supt. Washington, D. C., 1885; made chief clerk to Gen. Supt., Aug. 1897; made chief clerk to Second Asst. Post Master General, February, 1907; made supt. Railway Mail Service, Cleveland, Oct. 13, 1911; assumed duties … Read more